Office Fit-up, The Nature Conservancy in Maine

This project included a complete interior renovation and fit-up of approximately 8,800 square feet of existing space and a new 600 square foot mezzanine, within the historic Fort Andross Mill Business Center alongside the Androscoggin River, in Brunswick, Maine. The project was completed in the spring of 2017.

Our client requested an office space that fully reflects who they are as an organization. They wanted a space that attracts, supports and inspires their greatest asset – their talented and motivated staff, and a space that encourages collaboration. Their Objectives included creating a space that supports staff well-being and productivity, models green and sustainable design, and inspires innovative and collaborative problem solving.

The project team (Architect, Engineer, and Sustainability Consultant) was selected to guide the project to meet the goals for LEED and WELL certifications.  This project was recently completed during the summer of 2017 and is on target for LEED Gold certification, and to be the first office in northern New England, and the first non-profit space in the Eastern U.S., to meet the requirements for the WELL Building Standard™ certification.

The new space features natural and recycled elements that artfully reflect our client’s mission. The curving wood wall is made from yellow birch sustainably harvested from our client’s own certified forest property in the St. John River valley. The carpet tiles underfoot, with a pattern reminiscent of crashing surf, are made from recycled fishing nets in a partnership that cleans beaches and the ocean of nylon waste. The countertop in the kitchen/lounge was crafted using historic log-drive lumber salvaged from the bottom of the Penobscot River—a place where our client has played a major role in a historic river restoration project.

Before being renovated, our client occupied a true “DILBERT” style office space with walled offices and high cubicles. The new space breaks down the barriers of hierarchy to provide equality, natural daylight and inspiring views for all.  Workstations with partitions high enough for ample privacy, yet low enough to allow views to the exterior windows, occupy the open office areas, while glass walled conference rooms of varying size and flexible purpose float within the office space and provide privacy for meetings yet retain ample natural light and views to the exterior.